The NY Times reports the City University of New York has developed a "120-page blueprint for the community college of the future—specifically, a 5,000-student Manhattan campus that would be New York City’s first new two-year institution of higher education in 37 years." Because graduation rates at community colleges are low, the blueprint would require students to enroll full time, with "Majors would be limited to about a dozen fields with robust job opportunities, including health care and environmental technology." CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein says that the community college “capacity will be severely tested in the coming year" (CUNY 2-year college enrollment is up 31%) and CUNY, facing cuts from city and state budgets (leading to proposed tuition hikes), is trying to raise money from other sources, like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. more ›

Yesterday evening, a 19-year-old was fatally shot on a northbound Q train. According to witnesses, Trevell Belton was shot as the train pulled into the Avenue U stop. Belton collapsed on the platform, while the shooter and his friend ran away. more ›

Congratulations to everyone graduating this month! As NYU's commencement was today, with speaker jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, we decided to list the many NYC commencement speakers, with help from The Chronicle of Higher Education (if we've missed any or gotten it wrong, let us know in comments): more ›

An instructor at LaGuardia Community College was charged with accepting payments for better grades. Elvin Escano, who taught computer science, was arraigned on a 137 count indictment; apparently, he would accept cash or liquor (examples cited were a $200 cash payment and a $2,500 bottle of wine). The DA claims Escano changed grades in the registrar's office and even asked students to "steer business his way," according to WABC 7. more ›

With the rest of the World Trade Center redevelopment mired in a bureaucratic morass, the opening of 7 World Trade Center was greeted with joy, excitement, and yes, even praise for beleagured developer Larry Silverstein for actually building something. The festive opening ceremonies lacked Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg, who had "other commitments," giving center stage to Silverstein who said, "We've come a very long way. What you're looking at today is just the beginning." And a whimsical Jeff Koons sculpture, Balloon Flower (Red), was unveiled in the middle of the park outside 7WTC, and tthe sculpture is supposed to change color with the light - we can't wait to take a look up close ourselves. more ›

What's in my Go Bag? Not Gilbert Gottfried, I can assure you. (A better question might be, "What's in my Go Cup?") more ›